Naruto : Dragon Jinchuriki

About a month later, the night before they would set off to the land of demons, two Riku's were standing face to face.

The first Riku stood in a loose outboxing stance, his fists raised, knuckles flexing. Across from him, his shadow clone-animated and controlled by Kokuenryū-stared him down, its eyes gleaming with a feral intensity.

Kokuenryū growled low, speaking through the clone. "*Haha! It's been so long since we fought, shame I'm in this puny body instead of my Dragon form.*"

Riku didn't answer. His body was already moving, dodging to the side as Kokuenryū struck. The clone's clawed hand, cloaked in swirling black and white Monoflame, slashed through the space Riku had occupied a moment before.

Riku wheeled hard on his back foot, snatched a jab into the clone's ribs. The blow cracked home, but Kokuenryū barely grimaced, pivoting with a sweeping strike from his other claw. Riku ducked, slid under the arc of the blow, and struck back with his right hook to the jaw.

The clone staggered back, its lip split, but Kokuenryū only grinned.

Riku's eyes narrowed, his body coiling as Kokuenryū charged again, wings spread wide. The clone leapt into the air and came crashing down with a flurry of swipes and kicks, forcing Riku to stay light on his feet. He danced around each attack, slipping punches between Kokuenryū's claws, aiming for weak points in the clone's defenses.

A jab to the sternum; a cross to the cheek; a feint, then a strong liver shot that sent Kokuenryū stumbling.

Skyward, the clone roared in frustration, wings flaring wide to create a gust that forced Riku to backpedal. It used the opening to breathe out a stream of Monoflame, black and white fire spiraling toward Riku like a serpent.

Riku shifted to the side, his footwork perfect; the flames barely grazed his shoulder. As the fire dissipated, he pressed further, bridging the gap with a sharp burst of speed. His left jab connected with the clone's temple, followed by a brutal uppercut that sent Kokuenryū reeling.

Kokuenryū snarled, wiping blood from his mouth with the clone's forearm.

The clone leapt into the air again, its claws glowing with flame. It dove toward Riku in a spiraling attack, wings slicing through the air like blades.

Riku hunched low, his eyes narrowing as he tracked the movements of the clone. His breathing steadied, his focus absolute. At the very last moment, he rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the attack.

The moment Kokuenryū slammed into the ground, Riku was already moving, his veins coursing with chakra. Coating his arms in Lightning and Yang chakra that crackled around his arms, coalescing into a spear of pure white sparks. He hurled the spear in the air, the lightning bending midair to follow Kokuenryū as the clone recovered.

The spear slammed into the clone's side, throwing it back into a tree. Bark splintered, and the clone collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.

Riku stood tall, his fists still raised, sweat dripping from his brow.

The clone's head lifted, Kokuenryū's voice rumbling low. "*Haa… You've certainly come far, kid.*"

The clone exploded into smoke, abandoning Riku to the clearing. Riku let his breath out slowly, relaxing his defenses. He was in pain, but a little pleased smile danced on his lips.

"Not bad," he whispered to himself.

Then, in Riku's mind, Kokuenryū spoke up again.

*If only we could fight properly, with my true form…* Kokuenryū sounded a bit disappointed.

Riku giggled, "I'd rather not die yet, maybe when I'm older."

Riku looked up in thought, his mind drifting between thoughts of how to polish his shadow jutsu and when he could next spar against Kokuenryū.

Then the bird arrived.

It was almost comical how fast it happened. One moment, Riku was reaching for his water flask, and the next, an injured magpie shot out of the forest like a feathery missile and smacked him square in the chest.

"Gah—what the hell!" Riku stumbled back, catching the flailing bird instinctively. Its black-and-white feathers were disheveled, one wing bent at an odd angle. The magpie squawked indignantly at him, pecking weakly at his arm as if blaming him for its misfortune.

"Well, excuse me," Riku said, glaring at the bird as he held it at arm's length. "Hmm... You loo—

Riku was suddenly cut off,

*WOOOW! What a beautiful specimen! Look at those feathers! Magnificent!* Kokuenryū's white eyes were sparkling as he looked at the small magpie.

Riku coughed and continued talking, "A Magpie? Hmm… it looks like a… Black-Billed Magpie? Interesting, I didn't know this world had magpies." Riku examined the bird as he thought about the similarities of this world and earth.

"Then again, there are falcons and crows in this world so why am I surprised…"

The magpie croaked again, its beady eyes fixed on him, as if demanding help. Riku sighed, his annoyance softening. "Alright, alright. You're hurt. Let me take a look."

He knelt down, gently cradling the bird in his hands. He channeled a pulse of Yang chakra into his palms, letting the warm green energy flow into the magpie. At first the bird flinched, but as the chakra worked its magic, the bent wing straightened and the frantic movements stilled.

"There you go," Riku said, watching as the magpie hopped onto his arm and stretched its wings experimentally. "Good as new. Now go, fly off or something. I've got things to do."

The magpie tilted its head, staring at him. Then it hopped onto his shoulder.

"Uh, no," Riku said, trying to shoo it away. "This isn't a taxi service. Go back to… wherever magpies go."

The bird stayed put, pecking at a loose strand of his hair.

Riku groaned. "Seriously? My hair again? What's with these black and white creatures and my hair… You're not even going to say thank you?"

The magpie squawked and flapped its wings but took no flight. Resigned, Riku finally rose to his feet, the bird still perched obdurately on his shoulder.

"Fine," he muttered. "But don't poop on me, or you're on your own."

As he walked back toward his room, the black-billed magpie still clinging to him, Riku found his mind drifting. Watching the bird preen itself and squawking occasionally into his ear, he couldn't help but think of another avian companion, far more menacing.

Itachi Uchiha.

The image of crows swarming in a storm of black feathers, disorienting enemies and masking Itachi's movements, flickered in his mind. It had always been one of the most iconic uses of genjutsu he admired in his past life.

"Crows, huh?" Riku murmured, glancing at the magpie. "You're not exactly as intimidating. But maybe…"

He halted his pace, the wheels of his mind starting to churn. His shadow techniques were versatile, but they lacked a certain flair. The kind of dramatic impact that would shake an enemy before the fight even began.

"Magpies," he mused aloud. "Could I…?"

The bird cocked its head, as if curious.

"I mean, you're not crows, but you're clever, you ripped one of my earrings out in my first like, you guys seriously like shiny things. And there's potential there. Imagine-using shadow clones and you guys to confuse opponents, swarm them, maybe even deliver small attacks. Could be useful."

The magpie squawked approvingly.

Riku smirked. "Guess you're not so useless after all."

The idea solidified as he walked back to home, the magpie still perched on his shoulder. Already, he was imagining techniques—ways to integrate shadow submersion with a flock of magpies to create chaos on the battlefield. It wouldn't be exactly like Itachi's crows, but it could be something even better.

As he sat by the campfire, the magpie hopped down onto his knee, staring up at him.

"Guess you're sticking around, huh?" Riku said, shaking his head. "Fine. But if you're going to follow me, you need a name." He thought for a moment. "How about Shiro kinda like my last name, Kuroshiro? And you already have Black in your name so we'd be matching."

The magpie squawked again, as if in approval.

"Alright, Shiro," he told him, smirking. "Let's see if you can live up to the idea I've got for you."

And as the mist rolled over the forest, he couldn't shake off the feeling that, ornery bird or not, the magpie had brought a spark of inspiration his way that he hadn't really counted on.

…

…

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting long, dappled shadows over the ancient forest of Mount Myōboku. Riku stood near the edge of the clearing, adjusting the strap of his pack. He let out a soft sigh as a sharp beak pecked at his now shoulder length hair.

"Shiro," Riku muttered, glancing at the magpie perched stubbornly on his shoulder. "Do you mind?"

The bird squawked and fluffed its feathers, entirely unapologetic. Riku rolled his eyes.

"You really picked the wrong guy to latch onto," he muttered.

Behind him, the soft sound of footsteps reached his ears. Chiyo came into view, Her golden braid swayed as she approached and her travel cloak tucked snugly around her.

"Riku," she said, cocking her head to one side, "why is there a bird on your shoulder?"

Riku turned to her, his face a picture of exasperation. "This is Shiro. He flew into me last night-literally. He was hurt, so I healed him, and now he thinks I'm his new home."

Chiyo blinked at the magpie, who puffed out his chest as if to show off. "He's kind of adorable," she said, a small laugh escaping her lips.

"Adorable isn't the word I'd use," Riku said, flicking at the bird gently. "More like clingy."

Before Chiyo could respond, Jiraiya's voice boomed from behind them. "Hey, you two! What's holding us up?"

The toad sage strode into the clearing, his large pack slung over his shoulder. He stopped mid-step when he noticed the magpie.

"What's this?" Jiraiya said, gesturing at Shiro. "You picked up a pet?"

"Not a pet," Riku said with a smirk. "More like an uninvited guest."

Jiraiya scratched his chin, narrowing his eyes at the bird. "You sure it's not just hanging around for food?"

"Probably," Riku admitted. "But I've been thinking… If this guy's sticking around, I might as well make use of him."

"What do you mean?" Chiyo asked, her brow furrowing.

Riku shrugged. "You know, like… training him to deliver messages, scout ahead, maybe even help in a fight someday." He paused, a flicker of excitement crossing his face. "I heard stories-about someone who used crows for all kinds of things. Genjutsu, diversions, that sort of thing."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "And you think you can train a magpie to do all that?"

"Why not?" Riku said, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Magpies are smart. It might take a while, but I've got time."

Chiyo smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're always full of strange ideas, Riku."

Hearing that name caused Jiraiya's eyes to squint a little, but he figures it was some sort of nickname or something.

"Strange is my specialty," he replied, adjusting the strap of his pack.

Jiraiya sighed, shaking his head. "Well, as long as your little bird doesn't slow us down. We've got a long way to go."

"Don't worry," Riku said, smirking at Shiro. "He's got wings. Worst case, I'll toss him in the air and let him fly on his own."

Shiro chirped in response, as if offended by the suggestion.

The three of them set off, leaving the tranquil beauty of Mount Myōboku behind. Riku glanced at Shiro, who had settled comfortably on his shoulder.

"You'd better earn your keep, buddy," Riku muttered.

The magpie chirped again, its black eyes gleaming in the sunlight.

"He's already learning," Riku said, smirking.

Chiyo laughed, her voice light and carefree. "You're hopeless."

And with that, their journey began, the magpie a peculiar but fitting addition to the team.